"That is happiness; to be disolved into something complete and great. When it comes to one, it comes as naturally as sleep." - Willa Cather

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Thursday, 11 March 2010

A book about running routes of the world

Recently I have become way too prolific for this blog's own good. I told myself yesterday I had to calm down a bit and post less. But then, as I was getting ready for bed last night, I had an idea.

SR had fallen asleep early because he had been on call the night before and I was sitting reminiscing about my favorite books. I was thinking about what I would like to read next and it dawned on me that I wanted to make a collection of running stories from across the world.

I am calling out to readers of this blog to be an author(a lot of you already are in your own blogging way or otherwise). I want you to write about a running route that means something to you. It should be a story with personality and emotions and perhaps humor. It should be centered around a running route and you should describe exactly where this route is. Since I know readers of this blog come from and/or live all over the place, I am excited to see where these routes are. It doesn't need to be your favorite route, it just needs a story attached to it. (What I don't want is: "I like running on the emerald necklace in Boston because it is pretty. I run there every day. I start at the Riverway in Brookline and turn around after Jamaica Pond.") This is not going to be a guide book to running routes, but stories about running routes.

I also really plan on publishing this book. And paying the authors. That is if I find a publisher and that publisher convinces people to buy it. But who wouldn't want to read this? Come on! And I want some of the proceeds to go to a good cause. You can also suggest a cause if you are one of those people who know a lot about good causes.

If you are interested in being an author, send an email to me at sealegsgirlblog@gmail.com. If you are really fast, you can even send the story at the same time. Or just let me know you are planning on writing something. Pictures are welcome but are in no way a requirement. You can also write me suggesting an author you would like to have write a story for the book.

I know that I for one am going to write a chapter and SR is planning his as well. Don't be shy! Send me a story! You could become famous and, perhaps, more beloved than you already are.

ok, you KNOW I am going to contribute to this! fabulous idea. I will rally some of my other running/writing friends as well. ironically your example of what NOT to write used one of my favorite once-upon-a-time running routes as an example (the emerald necklace IS very pretty) but I understand why you don't want that. Thanks for the inspiration to write more!

PicoolaPineCone, you are so funny. Yes, the emerald necklace was, of course, one of my old favorite running routes, too. Ain't nothing wrong with that route! (you used to live in Boston, too?) But I had to illustrate the point somehow that I wanted a story and not just a good route :).

I am, by the way, thrilled that you are game. And very curious where you will write about. And, yes, I know you have connections... so I would love it if you could use your charm to get some stories out of them!

I am so excited to write something for this! What a really great idea. I don't post about running on my blog very often, but it's still a big part of my life. This would be a nice way to share it.

If there comes a time when you need help with proofing and editing let me know. Grad school hasn't taught me a lot of essential life skills, but no one could accuse me of not acquiring some mad editing capabilities.

yup I lived in Boston (really Jamaica Plain) next to Jamaica Pond from 2000-2002. What is up with our strangely parallel lives? p.s. I have already mentally written most of my piece. I'll start actually getting it onto paper after bedtime (hers not mine)

Diana, I guess I could say that, though I don't write about food often, it is also a big part of my life. I am so happy you want to write something. And you better believe I will use your editing skills, if I do actually receive anything to edit :).

Piccola, I lived there right after you. I was in Brookline near the med school. What were you doing there?

I am in! Great idea! Perfect: you have now Diana as your editor, and between you and me, we can also write a French version of the book! I also have already an (ok, several!) idea of what I want to write... now just have to hope for some long naps and early nights from the little one!

Danni, you are cleverly avoiding the subject at hand, though I am glad to know I'm providing you with reading material (such a lack of it these days ;)...)

SteveQ are you in or what? (see my comment on your blog)

Marie-Aline, previous residency in Boston is NOT a prerequisite. But will result in higher pay for the author. (wa, wa, just kidding... I never know if I need to write that, irony being so hard to detect at times). I'm so glad you like the idea and that you are game!

Cool, Ashley! Of course you can mention it to friends. I just want people to write who feel inspired to do so.

Helen. Yay! Yay! I woke up thinking I had better find a way to convince Helen Lavin to write something.

was in Boston b/c I got my first job writing software there. higher pay should be given to anyone who STILL lives in Boston, as I remember it cost an arm 7 a leg just to breathe to air there! can't imagine how starving med students survived the cost of living there!!

SteveQ, Good timing with the song suggestion. I was just trying to find a few extra new songs to add to my playlist for the race tomorrow. Funny enough, I had just put That's Not My Name on there, too. It ALWAYS works for races.

SLG - I feel like you have created such momentum with this project! How are everyone's pieces going??Just a quick question - any thoughts as to length? You referred to you & SR working on chapters, each piece = one chapter? ... therefore 1500 words? more? less? Am I getting ahead of myself? When did I get into this annoying habit of overusing the question mark?????

Piccola, yes, one piece equals one chapter. Unless like two people request their peices be one chapter. I am open-minded.

As for length. Please, please, please don't use word count!!!!! No counting of anything allowed unless you are writing a haiku or in iambic pentameter. I can't really imagine writing about running in iambic pentameter, though. I other words, don't think in terms of restrictions, just write your story.

That's an awesome idea SLG! I might not write anything (because I am a horrible writer, just ask any of my TAs) but I am definitely going to buy it once published:) But who knows, maybe I will be able to think of something interesting since I have been living (and RUNNING) in few different countries.

BTW, I have never lived in Boston but I have spent my college years in Providence RI. That's kinda close:)

A problem I also am familiar with. Can you time the nap so it comes immediately following your run? I'm glad you are working on it, though! Often the best writing is the product of many days' editing and re-editing. Jack Kerouac didn't think so, but he also might have lied about how quickly he wrote On The Road, etc.

Hello from Rude Skov

Photo by Stine Sophie Winckel

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My name is Tracy. I am a physician scientist from the USA, living with my husband and two young boys in Denmark. I work as a post-doc fellow at Næstved Hospital. I have a scientific interest in vision loss, vision loss during exercise, exercise, running during pregnancy, MAF training as well as nutrition and health for athletes. I also have a love for music, physics, statistics, cycling, yoga, cross-country skiing, bla bla bal.

I was a member of Team USA at the IAU World Championships in Ultra Trail Running in 2013 in Wales. I am now training to run with Team Denmark at the IAU World Championships in Annency, France in May 2015.